Seasonal Avifaunal Richness and Conservation Implications in the BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, India

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to document avifaunal diversity, analyze seasonal variations in species richness and abundance, characterize feeding guilds, examine breeding activities, and assess the conservation significance of BITS Pilani Goa Campus for bird populations, particularly threatened and migratory species. Study Design: A systematic year-round survey using encounter rate methodology with bi-weekly observations across all campus habitats. Place and Duration of Study: BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus (15.3911° N, 73.8782° E), South Goa, India, covering 188 acres on a plateau between the coast and Western Ghats; November 2023 to October 2024. Methodology: Bird surveys were conducted bi-weekly during peak activity periods (morning: 7:00-10:00; afternoon: 16:00-18:00) along standardized transects covering diverse habitats. Species identification followed standard Indian bird guides, and data were analyzed using PAST 4.14 software. Diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener, Simpson's) were calculated seasonally, and birds were categorized by residential status and feeding guilds. Results: A total of 102 species from 14 orders and 38 families were recorded, with 2,436 individual observations. Passeriformes dominated (53.53%), followed by Columbiformes (29.64%). Resident species comprised 65.69%, residential migrants 23.53%, and distant migrants 10.78%. Abundance peaked post-monsoon (28.00%) and during monsoon (26.85%). Shannon diversity was highest in summer (H'=1.506). Insectivores dominated all seasons (40.7-47.6%), followed by omnivores (29.9-35.3%). Twenty-eight species (27.5%) exhibited breeding activity, primarily during pre-monsoon and early monsoon periods. Conclusion: The campus supports substantial avian diversity year-round, with seasonal fluctuations driven by monsoon patterns, migration, and resource availability. Semi-urban green spaces serve as critical refugia for biodiversity conservation in rapidly urbanizing Western Ghats landscapes.